Cannabis use characteristics and posttraumatic stress disorder-related outcomes among Canadian Veterans with chronic pain

Abstract: Previous research on the relationship between cannabis and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has produced equivocal Results:. One explanation is that differences in cannabis use characteristics (e.g., medicinal vs. recreational use, route of administration, THC to CBD ratio, and grams per day) are associated with differences in PTSD severity. Using data from a previous cross-sectional study, we performed a series of MANOVAs to examine how cannabis use, cannabis use characteristics, sex, and talk therapy attendance are associated with PTSD severity, psychological distress (i.e., depression and anxiety), and insomnia in a sample of Canadian veterans with chronic pain and a history of trauma (N = 513). We also performed descriptive analysis on participants’ demographics, military history, and cannabis use. Participants with a cannabis prescription and/or who attended talk therapy tended to have higher PTSD severity than those who did not. Cannabis use, sex, route of administration, THC to CBD ratio, and grams per day, were not significantly correlated with PTSD-related outcomes. However, descriptive analysis showed that the majority of those who used cannabis reported that it benefited their mental health. We speculate that veterans with more severe PTSD are more likely to seek out treatment in the form of prescribed cannabis or talk therapy; and that the perceived effect of cannabis on PTSD differs from the measured effect due to cannabis only causing a short-term reduction in PTSD symptoms.

Read the full article
Report a problem with this article

Related articles

  • More for Researchers

    Qualitative analysis of the lived experience of reproductive and pediatric health care in the military health care system

    Abstract: Introduction: Persistent inequities exist in obstetric and neonatal outcomes in military families despite universal health care coverage. Though the exact underlying cause has not been identified, social determinants of health may uniquely impact military families. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate the potential impact of social determinants of health and the lived experiences of military individuals seeking maternity care in the Military Health System. Materials and methods: This was an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. Nine providers conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with individuals who delivered within the last 5 years in the direct or purchased care market. Participants were recruited through social media blasts and clinic flyers with both maximum variation and homogenous sampling to ensure participation of diverse individuals. Data were coded and themes were identified using inductive qualitative research methods. Results: Three main themes were identified: Requirements of Military Life (with subthemes of pregnancy notification and privacy during care, role of pregnancy instructions and policies, and role of command support), Sociocultural Aspects of the Military Experience (with subthemes of pregnancy as a burden on colleagues and a career detractor, postpartum adjustment, balancing personal and professional requirements, pregnancy timing and parenting challenges, and importance of friendship and camaraderie in pregnancy), and Navigating the Healthcare Experience (including subthemes of transfer between military and civilian care and TRICARE challenges, perception of military care as inferior to civilian, and remote duty stations and international care). Conclusions: The unique stressors of military life act synergistically with the existing health care challenges, presenting opportunities for improvements in care. Such opportunities may include increased consistency of policies across services and commands. Increased access to group prenatal care and support groups, and increased assistance with navigating the health care system to improve care transitions were frequently requested changes by participants.